What's the best way to fix this?

[Aitch]

Get the bodywork fixed (smoothed properly) then do a DIY vinyl wrap job. If you take your time it can come out pretty nice and cost under $500 in materials (good quality vinyl).

[racer2086]

Thanks for the suggestion didn't think of that. They will do all of the body work. And the right way. I think the car will look pretty good after, so don't need a wrap right away. The front just has a lot of rock chips on the hood and fenders.

[shanecarmaster1]

I wouldn't do a black vinyl wrap - the orange peel on them is worse than a DIY spraypaint job.

Also, I don't understand why the shop is hesitant to compound the paint. Cars from multiple decades ago get restored by buffing the original paint. My paint was just done and it looks a treat. I'd look somewhere else to get the car up to snuff if they're scared about that.

[racer2086]

Well it's done already. I can't pick it up until I'm free on Friday, though. I'll decide if I have a detailer work on the rest of the paint. Eager to see how the work looks.

[Cosmic E38]

Vinyl wraps are for people who can't paint and they suck. Get close to a wrap, most look like garbage. Save the money and put the $500 towards paint. Plus wraps hurt the value of a car, always. Vinyl wrapping is right up there with spray painting black plasti-dip on wheels-complete suckage!

[racer2086]

Well, I got the car back and it looks great. They did a very good job. The dents were taken out as I had hoped. You could see them inside when I dropped the headliner, but they are 95% gone now. The paint and clear itself looks fantastic. Does make me wonder how awesome this car looked in black when new.

I'll post up some before and after shots.

On another note, I just noticed a rust spot bubbling the paint on my driver's door below the belt moulding right in the middle of the metal. About the size of a half dollar. WTF. Is that something I can let wait or get it fixed asap?

[Cosmic E38]

Post pics of the rust and I'll tell you